Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'arsonist'

English Word: arsonist

Key Russian Translations:

• поджигатель (/pɐdʐɨˈɡatʲɪlʲ/) - [Formal, used in legal and news contexts]

Frequency: Low (This term is not commonly used in everyday conversation but appears in legal, news, or crime-related discussions.)

Difficulty: B2 (Intermediate - Requires understanding of legal vocabulary and noun declensions in Russian; suitable for learners with a solid grasp of basic grammar.)

Pronunciation (Russian):

поджигатель: /pɐdʐɨˈɡatʲɪlʲ/

Note on поджигатель: The stress falls on the third syllable ("ga-"), and the "ж" sound is a voiced palatal fricative, which can be challenging for English speakers. Practice with native audio for accurate intonation.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Primary Meaning: A person who intentionally sets fires, typically for criminal purposes.

Translation(s) & Context:

• поджигатель - Used in formal contexts such as legal documents, news reports, or discussions about crime; implies deliberate and illegal action.

Usage Examples:

• Поджигатель был пойман на месте преступления.

  The arsonist was caught at the scene of the crime.

• В городе участились случаи, когда поджигатели сжигают заброшенные здания.

  In the city, there have been more cases where arsonists burn abandoned buildings.

• Поджигатель, ответственный за лесные пожары, предстанет перед судом.

  The arsonist responsible for the forest fires will stand trial.

• Местные жители подозревают, что поджигатель действует по ночам, чтобы избежать обнаружения.

  Local residents suspect that the arsonist operates at night to avoid detection.

• Поджигатель использовал бензин для быстрого распространения огня.

  The arsonist used gasoline to quickly spread the fire.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

"Поджигатель" is a masculine noun of the first declension (ending in -тель). It follows standard Russian noun inflection patterns for masculine nouns. Below is a table of its declensions:

Note: This noun does not have irregular forms, making it relatively straightforward for learners once basic declension rules are understood.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • пироман (pyromaniac) - Often used interchangeably but implies a psychological compulsion.
  • инсессор (incendiary person) - Less common, typically in historical or military contexts.
• Antonyms:
  • пожарный (firefighter) - Refers to someone who fights fires, directly opposing the role of an arsonist.
  • спасатель (rescuer) - A broader term for someone who saves lives, contrasting with destructive actions.

Related Phrases:

• Подозреваемый в поджоге - Suspect in arson; used in investigative contexts.
• Преступление поджигателя - Crime of the arsonist; refers to the act in legal discussions.
• Поджигатель лесных пожаров - Arsonist of forest fires; specifies the type of arson.

Usage Notes:

"Поджигатель" directly corresponds to the English "arsonist" and is the most precise translation in formal settings. It is typically used in singular form and should be inflected according to Russian case requirements (e.g., use genitive "поджигателя" after prepositions like "of"). Be cautious with context: in informal speech, Russians might use more descriptive phrases instead. When choosing between synonyms like "пироман," opt for it if emphasizing psychological aspects, but "поджигатель" is preferred for straightforward criminal descriptions.

Common Errors:

• Error: Using "поджигатель" interchangeably with "пожар" (fire), which is a noun for the event, not the person. Correct: Say "поджигатель вызвал пожар" (The arsonist caused the fire) instead of just "пожар" to specify the perpetrator.

• Error: Incorrect declension, e.g., saying "с поджигатель" instead of "с поджигателем" in instrumental case. Correct: "С поджигателем был пойман" (The arsonist was caught with someone). Explanation: Russian nouns must agree in case, so always check the sentence structure.

• Error: Confusing with "взрывник" (bomber), which involves explosions. Correct: Use "поджигатель" specifically for fire-related crimes. Explanation: This mix-up can occur due to overlapping in crime vocabulary, but precision is key in legal contexts.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, arson (and thus terms like "поджигатель") often appears in literature and historical contexts, such as in works by authors like Dostoevsky, where it symbolizes deeper psychological or social unrest. For instance, arson has been associated with revolutionary acts in 19th-century Russia, reflecting themes of rebellion against authority.

Related Concepts:

• пожар (fire)
• преступление (crime)
• расследование (investigation)
• пиромания (pyromania)